A Worthy Successor - The Naked Gun [2025]

The Naked Gun [2025]

Film

Is it a little strange that within the same few weeks we get legacy sequels, not from high-brow cinematic tentpoles, but from goofy comedies like Happy Gilmore and The Naked Gun? Serendipitous might be the proper word choice. Because it is a wonderful thing to have happen. And while Happy Gilmore 2 tapped into more 90's nostalgia, it, alongside the new Akiva Schaffer written and directed The Naked Gun, unleashed the same silly humor that propelled their predecessors into the public conscience. Schaffer's reimagining of the comedy classic may strut to the same tune as the original, but that doesn't stop it from still being hilarious and a sensational theater experience. The 2025 rebirth of The Naked Gun may not stand apart from the original, blurring the lines between originality and derivative, but it's a film that knows exactly what it is, what it's doing, and executes with surgical precision. Extracting deep belly laughs and light chuckles from start to finish, and then some more as the credits roll.

Instead of the late, great Leslie Nielsen at the helm as Frank Drebin, Schaffer's updated version of Police Squad features an against-type Liam Neeson as Nielsen's son, Frank Drebin Jr. A coincidence that the two stars have outrageously similar names? Of course not. As Neeson's Jr. kneels before a portrait of Nielsen's Drebin, in the hilarious Hall of Fathers, he proclaims his intentions to be just like his dad, yet with some originality to him. Combined with Jr. introducing the film's Police Squad as "the new version," Schaffer's tongue-in-cheek reference to comedy sequels falling into lockstep with their predecessor is a terrific way to set the film's intentions and poke fun at itself. A move reminiscent of 22 Jump Street, which used Ice Cube vehemently urging Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum to do the exact same thing they did before, in 21 Jump Street.

It makes plenty of sense that The Naked Gun would have a touch of self-awareness for its contents because it thrives in the comedic realm of Nielsen's original films. The dissection of the English language, to an almost pedantic degree, is the same style of humor that was prevalent in Nielsen's The Naked Gun, and his other films, such as Airplane!. Nothing summarizes the type of humor more than the iconic line, "Surely, you can't be serious? I am serious, and don't call me Shirley."

Schaffer's The Naked Gun wields these jokes effectively, and Neeson's delivery, with a deep bass and deadpan diction, provides ample ability for just about every one of them to land. Danny Huston as the villain, Richard Cane, gives another fantastic against-type performance, evoking similarities to his tough-guy businessman in Yellowstone but with hilarious lines and delivery. Neeson and Huston's chemistry gives a great back and forth, emphasized by the snappy editing from Brian Scott Olds. Even if this new version rehashes the exact same joke from the original, where Nielsen's Drebin is offered a cigar-"Cuban? No, Dutch-Irish"-and Neeson's Jr. interaction with Cane, "Cigar? Looks like it to me," you can't help but let out a laugh, because it just works.

Pamela Anderson gives a standout comedic performance that sees her scat for about three minutes-her dedication to this role is astounding-and even Paul Walter Hauser makes a supporting appearance as Ed Hocken Jr., the son of the original's Captain Ed Hocken (George Kennedy). With so many jokes and quips piled onto one another, the narrative does get bogged down by the sheer volume. It's difficult to say that as a critique of the film, as the story is a joke, but the overall number of jokes crammed into an incredibly breezy 85-minute runtime can be stifling. The lack of breathing room from one laugh to the next also forces some lines to fall between the cracks.

While it may not completely buck the trend of unoriginality in comedic sequels, The Naked Gun does enough to provide plenty of laughs and entertainment to the point that you probably don't care. Neeson is a hilarious successor to Nielsen, and Schaffer's writing and direction elevate the comedy to another level. I don't think anyone was expecting this film to top the original, but it is a terrific legacy-sequel, as good as they come. A fitting continuation for the fine people at Police Squad.

The new version.

Froth

There's only one correct choice for a movie that moves as quickly as The Naked Gun does, and makes you laugh so much in such a condensed timeframe. A light Pilsner is the perfect companion for your chuckles, and more specifically the Italian Pilsner from Lucky Envelope Brewing. It's light, crisp, effervescent, and delivers on some honey and malty sweetness. Which works incredibly well with the floral aromas dancing around each sip. Providing an overall incredibly relaxing and refreshing summertime drinking experience. Dry hopping with Saphir and Hallertauer Mittelfrueh hops give this brew a nice Italian-Pilsner styling while adding on a touch of spice and herbal freshness. Making this Lucky Envelope brew another in their long line of easy-drinkers which is especially helpful when you're trying to find time in between vicious laughter to take a quick little sip.